ABOUT WARREN MAIN STREET
The Main Street Program is a coast-to-coast movement involving more than 5,000 American communities. It is rooted in the belief that communities can and should manage change in their business districts. Together, the programs in these communities have produced an investment of more than $5 billion and spurred the rehabilitation of countless historic structures. At the same time, space has been provided for 38,000 net new businesses and 100,000 new jobs have been created for local citizens.
A communitys central business district (CBD) often accounts for as much as 30 percent of a towns jobs and 40 percent of its tax base but the CBD is more than an economic asset. It is the heart of a town, the communitys crossroads, a place in our hearts and minds that evokes strong emotions and helps define our identity.
The National Trust for Historic Preservation set out to create a successful program to address the problems facing Americas town centers. The result was the Main Street Program.
The Warren Main Street program is part of the Warren County Chamber of Business and Industry. Warren Main Street is also a proud member of the Pennsylvania Downtown Center, The National Trust for Historic Preservation, and The National Main Street Center. Warren Main Street is currently receiving matching funding from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) start-up funding grant. It also receives corporate support from downtown partners Blair Corporation, Betts Foundation, Northwest Savings Bank, and Whirley Corporation. Warren Main Street also partners with the City of Warren for the funding of projects and city support for special events. In 2003, Warren Main Street formed the downtown historic merchants association and currently has over 40 members. And finally, Warren Main Street is proud to say that we are the recipients of community grants through State Senator Joseph Scarnartis office and State Representative Jim Lynchs office. These grants have made many downtown projects possible. Warren Main Street thanks all of its downtown partners. Together, we will reshape the look, feel, and economy of downtown Warren.
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